When Kelmscott parishioner Lara Malin visited Cyprus in June, she found herself in the middle of a papal visit and discovered the healing power of God through the Pope’s words
‘Like an eagle that watches its nest, that hovers over its young, so he spread his wings; he took him, placed him on his outstretched wings.’ Deuteronomy 32:11
I’d never really compared Jesus to an eagle, but that was before He decided to sweep me off my feet and take me for a ride. I knew His eagle eyes had been watching me when He opened a way for me to go on mission as a single mother with my ten year old son. Opening this door to mission was a big enough miracle in my books, but discovering that the mission was to be in Cyprus and would coincide with the Papal visit was unbelievably awesome.
Cyprus? From suburban Perth?
To my surprise, I instantly fell in love with the island’s great beauty, character and free-spirited atmosphere.
The unruly traffic, people riding bikes without a helmet, the smell of souvla wafting through the air, stray cats and kittens roaming endlessly on every street, a piano accordian playing outside the corner shop, white chiffon drapes against a blue Grecian sky, a punnet of home-made olives left sitting on your door-step by a kindly neighbour … a real feast for my senses.
I was amazed to discover the wealth of ancient Christian remains and reminders. Cyprus is considered to be the first place evangelised, St Barnabas was himself a Cypriot, his tomb lies here along with the tomb of Lazarus, and one of my most treasured icons by Kiko Arguello is based on one found here at the Kykkos Monastery, believed to be painted by St Luke.
I certainly didn’t know enough about the history of Cyprus.
The recent Turkish invasion became very real to me as I spoke to people who were living on the North side when the war was raging.
They spoke of having to flee with nothing but the shoes and clothes they were wearing, their eyes spoke of a delayed grief and of an effort to rebuild their lives. I can only guess that there is many a hardened, grieving heart in Cyprus.
Today, a ‘Green Line’, guarded by UN troops, separates the North from the South, the Turks from the Greeks. I’m living close to this ‘Green Line’ on the Greek side, within the capital Nicosia and attending The Holy Cross Catholic Church (where the Pope lodged) which sits directly on this Green Line. The church sits in ‘no man’s land’ like a reminder of how Christ wants to bring unity in the midst of division (it can only be used on the proviso that the back door remains firmly locked as this opens out onto the Turkish side).
Surrounded by razor wire, UN troops on guard duty, derelict buildings that haven’t been used for over 30 years, left over sand bag bunkers and bullet holes in the walls, it resembles a movie set to me, yet in truth, remains a reminder of a history that now results in Nicosia being the last remaining divided capital.
In the days leading up to the Papal visit, pilgrims from Egypt, Italy, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel travelled through Cyprus. I joined these pilgrims at Pafos to meet our dear Pope Benedict XVI amidst the archaeological ruins where St Paul and St Barnabas preached and St Paul’s pillar stands as a reminder of his great zeal to spread the gospel.
It was an intimate crowd and a rare opportunity for me to sit with pilgrims in the midst of our Pope who radiated the love of Jesus. I followed Il Papa to a gathering with the Maronite church and then met for a beautiful prayer meeting with the Greek Orthodox Church Ayia Sophia (Engomi).
On Sunday 6 June I attended the Papal Mass at Nicosia Stadium. As Pope Benedict XVI entered the stadium dressed in brilliant gold yet still radiating humility, I was overwhelmed by the love of Jesus. Though not in close proximity to the Pope, I felt like I was touching the hem of Jesus’ garment just by being there and I could imagine how the woman with the hemorrhage had felt.
God had really done a work to bring me all the way to Cyprus, to heal me, to cure me, to let me touch Him.
Later that evening, I attended a vocational meeting with the pilgrims and Archbishop Jules (Greek Catholic Patriarch from Jerusalem). I had the great honour of helping to decorate the Kykkos icon of the Virgin Mary with flowers and watch it being carried in procession via many seminarians through the open air of Lakatamia Ampitheatre.
Jesus had been busy calling many hearts during these few days and from this small group of pilgrims, 20 men stood up for the seminary and 12 women stood up for the convent.
I couldn’t help but think again of the 12 years that the woman bled with the hemorrhage, and the little girl who was 12 years old when Jesus resurrected her, saying Talitha Kum, “Little girl stand up”.
My time in Cyprus has been a gift from my Lord Jesus Christ. He has sought to heal my heart in places that were broken, just as He has sought to heal the places where His church has been divided.
I know I will return to Australia with a newness of heart (where Jesus has done some patchwork), a great love for Cyprus, a great love for The Greek Orthodox Church, a great love for the Maronite Church, a great love for St Paul and St Barnabas and a greater love for remains and reminders (relics and icons) that help to keep me focused on my risen Lord in the TODAY of my life.
Pope Benedict XVI brought many people together during his visit and gave a strong message of love and peace to the people of Cyprus and the world, a message of rebuilding relations, of unity.
He provided refreshing rain in the form of Jesus’ loving word and presence whilst here, and even more cleansing rain from heaven once he had left.
It never rains in Cyprus in June, it’s unheard of, just ask any Cypriot but it surely rained down the following week.
May Cyprus and the Church continue to be blessed and built up in the love of Jesus.